i [heart] music Diary

For a moment I forgot about the importance of music and how it makes me feel. I've just been introduced to a few artists, such as: Melanie Fiona. So I'm completely hooked thankx to Roxy. Since I still have no friends music is my sweet escape to my imaginary world. Of course, I'm a huge fan of 90's music especially R&B and Congolese. Definitely a sucker for Boyz II Men, Xscape, Kenny Lattimore, and the list could go on and on.

But for more 21st century stuff I pretty much avoided the mainstream artists except of course: Beyonce and Rihanna. I have to admit Beyonce has talent && I just love Rihanna for some reason. Other artist who I absolutely adore are: Chrisette Michele, Maxwell, Jazmine Sullivan, and John Legend. So I like soul with a little jazz influence. . .let's say I appreciate music in all of its entirety.

>>Daddy && Jo think I listen to extremely weird music because the stuff I listen to isn't on the radio as much. K97.5 plays the same mess every hour on the hour && Southern music annoys me to the nth degree.<<

I've recently found appreciation with Adele's voice. I knew her voice from years ago because Victoria's Secret would play her on corporate CD's. But that girl can sing! I can play "Melt My Heart to Stone" all day long. I'm a certified fan now! Here's a video of a performance on CNN enjoy! I love the acoustic guitar! [i'll try to post some other time because it won't post, umph] Just check her out!

Happy Friday!

Nora-Benz

. . .Daddy's Girl. . .

My pops came to visit me while he was on a 10-day vacation. [He also visited Toulouse and Paris] But I decided to post a few pictures we took in central London. I would like to think that he has enjoyed himself while being here. I introduced him to the lovely game of Sudoku! (i'm addicted to it) I'm pretty lucky to have my daddy visit me, because as I've expressed to him. . .London gets quite lonely. >>side-note to Jo: Daddy had a chance to see the foxes but he didn't have his glasses on. *smh*

OH && OF COURSE, IT'S MY MOMMY'S BIRTHDAY!!!!!! HAPPY ???? BIRTHDAY MOMMY. lol. I LOVE YOU!!!!! (i called her around 5 am, to ensure i catch her before work)

This picture to the right was for Malaika. . .Daddy went to see "Big Ben"!!!!!

The first picture (atop) was us at the London Bridge.&& the last photo is of me && my new hairdo. lol

Good news though, we're suppose to be getting internet by midnight next Monday! Woop Woop!!!!!!! Maxwell will be in concert next week here in London, so I'm trying to create a plan to go. Then in February Musiq && Avant will be in concert!!!! So I might actually have little fun. . .but I'm so looking forward to Maxwell though, I heard his concert in Durham was off-the-chain.

Feel free to call me, I always look forward to speaking those I hold dear. Have a blessed day everyone! Toodles.

Fall [IS] here

My friend Lyn (originally from London) warned be about the fall here in London --- it is nothing but rainy/cloudy/windy days! However, I always find a way to manage. I'm currently finding a nice little rock to hide under until my school load starts to lighten up. so what have i been up to?

• Well, still NO internet which prolongs my capabilities of calling EVERYONE. Sorry, i promise once things are up && running i'll call all my special people.
• I went to the movies yesterday. . . it was horrible. I saw "The Invention of Lying" with Jennifer Gardner, complete waste of time. >>i'm pretty sure it is a British production
• Yesterday, while I was at the bus stop this little rugrat ran up and kick this man's car, while he was driving!!! So what did the driver do??? He did what any normal person would. . . put the car in park, hopped out, and chased the little boy down the street! The kids here are something else, believe me!
• While I was in a store last Friday, I heard to two women speaking Lingala. (One of them in particular had a nice little hair do!) So I asked her who did it && we exchanged numbers, long story short, a complete stranger did my hair yesterday && I think she did a great job! [will post pictures later i don't have my camera]

Fall break is coming up the week after next && I might be going to Manchester, not sure yet. Oh, the most exciting news so far!!!! I saw the trailer to "New Moon - Twilight Saga"; omg I am so ready for November 20th.

As always I miss everyone back home.

Me

[CHiP CHiP CHEERI0S]

So I really need to get in the hang of things && publish new posts more frequently. lol So where do I begin???????

I've been here for exactly a month a two days && I still have no internet access, no phone, no cable. I'm really not concerned about the cable but I DO need a way to talk to the rest of the world via the world wide web or the telephone! The company, Sky, has been to the flat about 3 times already >>> they must not want our business. *smh*

My roomies && I went on a bus tour of London. It was pretty cool but longer than expected. Central London is so so so so pretty at night! Didn't really get to take that many pictures, but I did get one with a queen imposter!

I finally went out last Friday with some of my classmates in the program. [Everyone, didn't think I would show but I surprised them.] Well first, everyone was late. We were suppose to meet up at 5 at this tube stop in the middle of Soho, it really was more like 5:25. We first went to get drinks at this nice little restaurant/lounge/bar place called "The Slug && Lettuce". The interior design was so nice. >>> I know I sound bougie. I guess its a part of growing up, lol.

After "The Slug", we went to eat at this modern Japanese restaurant. It was actually pretty good. Of course, I decided to order two rolls of sushi! The sushi was okay, I've had better. But I never had a roll with duck in it. . . interesting is all I have to say (too much on the salty side).

Finally, after eating we went to another "chill" place called the "Friendly Society" you can only imagine what took place there. lol It was cool though, a different experience I will admit. But very funny! Some of my classmates were enjoying themselves a little too much. But my roomies && I had to leave early because we didn't want to be stranded in central London.



Once we finally got back, I took a shower and was sleep for literally 10 minutes && my roommate, Tonia, called wanted to know if I wanted to go out again. Although I was still under-the-weather, I went anyway. This time we went to this "black" club closer to our flat. We got in VIP, it was a two-story club but I wasn't really feeling it, like my roomies were. One floor was playing reggae and the other African music (specifically Ugandan). Then the reggae floor eventually started playing old ( i mean) old music like: "Oh, I Think They Like Me" "Meet Me In the Trap" && "Snap Yo Fingers" so it was like sophomore year in college all over again. *sigh, those were the days.*

I didn't get in until 4:30 am, my roomie decided to stay until the club closed. I regretted going out the 2nd time around because my cold got worst! But now I CAN BREATHE!

I turned in my first proposal on Sunday && got feedback on it yesterday. . . the professor said it was "good". . .great ideas. . .but good is relative in my book. Nonetheless, i'm relaxing && taking it one day at a time.

A run down of the people in the pictures:

• Alex from Macedonia (white guy in white shirt)
• Victoria from Chapel Hill (fellow Tar Heel in pinkish dress)
• Rahwa from San Diego/Colorado (originally from Eriteria)
• Nicole from Colorado (brown hair)
• Tonia from Bull City (the roomie in the pink shirt)
• Sabih from London (originally Pakistan in the white shirt with me)

That's it, I have to go to Global Environmental Politics now! Toodles!

NB

Under the Weather//Over the Weather

So as I've stated many many times I do not like the weather over here! Its been raining the past few days && really cold too. [Or cold to me --- because people are still wearing shorts && dresses].

I also woke up this morning with a sore throat, runny nose, && terrible chronic coughs. That's my update, i'm sick. Hopefully, tomorrow's better but then again I still have to finish this proposal, ugh. Besides the illness, i'm still doing gee- double o- dee!

NB

Uh, pictures?!

I just found out how to upload pictures and videos, so now I think this blog is complete!

Funny story >> My roommate, Tonia, told me that she thought she saw a fox running down the street but of course Ebuka && myself thought it was just a loose dog or something. Well we were WRONG! Later on that week, while coming from the airport with our third && final roommate we [myself, Tonia, && Jaequetta] were walking home around 11:30 pm; we spotted 3 "wild looking animals". Trust me, I was terrified and was running in the middle of the street dragging some heavy luggage [yes, I left them behind], but I had no key! We got home safely and the next day I was informed from the locals that they were urban foxes. These foxes sleep during the day && come out at night to eat trash, which is plenty here in London. Long story short, I don't come outside of the flat after 7:30 pm!

>>Top left: Me in Russell Square, where the school is located

>>Top right: Ebuka && myself at the London Bridge

>>Bottom left: Tonia, Jaequetta, then myself (the female roomies)

Have a great Sunday!

NB

Million Dollar Question?!

So here it is the answer to the million dollar question - - - how is London? First and foremost, London is NOT North Carolina! omg. Everything is a lot more busy, the weather is very confusing, && the people, ugh! It took me some time to adjust but I think I got the hang of things now. The only thing that will take more time is the fact that I can't just call my friends && family whenever I want. With this whole time difference thing and the complications of hooking up my phone and internet, Facebook seems to be the only way!

About housing: I have a flat in East London (about a 25-30 minute from campus). I have 3 roommmates, all of which are alums from the lovely university not too far from ours in the "Bull". It's a 3-story flat and well furnished with modern appliances.

About school: So I'm getting a masters in Internationl Relations at Hult International Business School. The university is actually an American university that has four different campuses: London, Boston, Dubai, and Shanghai. Since I was about a week late, I had a lot of make up work and reading. So far my interests have been in conflict resolution and management; and global environmental politics --- not sure which one I like the most. More specifically, I am compiling a proposal to manage and/or resolve the oil conflict in the Niger-Delta region; and I am also compiling a proposal for the environmental issues affecting Iran. I'm really enjoying it. . .I know its "nerdy".

I haven't really gone out any because things are so expensive here. The GBP (British pound) is a lot stronger than the US dollar, so that sucks for all the Americans! I went to McDonald's over the weekend and the Big Mac meal was about $9 and it was dry && small. *smh>> Yep, so I've been experimenting in the kitchen a lot!*

>>one thing I have learned since I've been here is that the English love: alcohol && cigarettes. Its pretty sad actually everyone either smells like smoke or reeks of rum/whiskey/cognac.yuck.